Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys Photography Tour
This tour will enable competent photographers to make outstanding images of one of the wildest and most evocative parts of southern England. Based a very comfortable, traditional hotel in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, we will enjoy a full programme of photographic excursions, from early in the morning until after sunset. The high granite Tors, the little-known valley of Tavy Cleave, mysterious Wistman’s Wood, Medieval clapper bridges and prehistoric stone rows all make excellent photographic subjects. As landscape photography can be productive in a wide variety of weather conditions, our itinerary will be flexible to make the best use of the conditions we encounter.
The tour is timed to coincide with early autumn colour and the possibility of early morning autumn mist in Dartmoor’s valleys. Weather permitting, the itinerary will include an opportunity for astrophotography on one evening. Dartmoor benefits from some of the darkest skies in southern England and the tour is timed for when the moon is out of the evening sky. Using one of the most spectacular and accessible Tors as foreground, we hope to make images of the stars, Milky Way and star trails.
Itinerary (will be adjusted as necessary to make best use of weather):
Day 1 - Meet at Exeter (or hotel), introductory presentation, walk from hotel to Wistman's Wood for ancient woodland photography. Dinner.
Day 2 - Postbridge for sunrise. Breakfast. Morning hike to Tavy Cleave for waterfalls. Early dinner. Great Staple Tor for sunset and astrophotography.
Day 3 - Breakfast. Morning hike to Venford Falls. Afternoon visit to Lydford Gorge. Merrivale Stone Row for sunset. Dinner. Evening image review and processing session..
Day 4 - Great Mis Tor for sunrise. Breakfast. Morning at Sharp Tor and Dartmeet. Afternoon return to Exeter.
Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants.
Recommended photographic equipment: Digital single lens reflex camera, lenses ranging from wide angle (ideally 16mm on full frame) to short telephoto (200mm+), fast lens (ideally F/2 or F/2.8 for astrophotography), tripod (essential), lockable cable release, neutral density filters and polarising filter. Warm clothes, hat, gloves and walking boots, head torch and hand torch.
Dates: 2023 dates to bed advised shortly. Please register interest now.
Meet at lunchtime on Day 1, depart early afternoon on Day 4.
Four day tour, 2023 cost to be advised shortly.
Included: Accommodation in twin rooms at Two Bridges Hotel for three nights, all meals, travel from Exeter, hides, guiding.
Not included: Travel to Exeter, drinks.
Feedback on previous Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys Photography Tours led by Robert Harvey:
"Having said I was ‘lost’ photography wise I am now ‘found’ again. Learnt so much not only just about my camera but also how to take good landscape photographs. Had ‘the book’ open when I got home." KP, Devon, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"I learned a lot about taking images in various environments, especially at night, and I’m also sure that I have improved my understanding of how to identify promising sites. In addition to the many items of technical advice you passed on, I very much appreciated the way that you kept us all involved and made sure each of us got value from the event. ... I also noticed how carefully you listened to our inputs to the priorities for the various options, and of course applying flexibility to suit the conditions was the right thing to do." PR, Hampshire, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Optimal use of weather conditions and timing. The weather was fine but not optimal for photographing Dartmoor but Robert organised the best locations for the conditions." MC, Western Australia, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"The mixture of morning, day and evening activities worked well and clearly took into account the weather conditions … Robert was very enthusiastic and ensured we achieved our personal learning objectives." DJP, Berkshire, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Thoroughly enjoyable trip, made better by the small number in the group under Robert's leadership and guidance." CJ, Dorset, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"This was very good value for money and Robert Harvey was a brilliant host, leader and provided very useful advice on the photography and worked very hard throughout the tour in assisting everyone. I enjoyed the walks especially the ones to the Tors and the night photography." SR, Avon, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Excellent leader - very good photographic tuition and excellent knowledge of Dartmoor ... Robert managed a full and varied program covering all the itinerary where possible and substituting extras if not. I came away feeling I had learned a lot about photography and about Dartmoor." AB, Somerset, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Venues visited were superbly researched and journeys to them well organised. This mini holiday was action packed and full on the go. A fabulous trip ... The leader was very pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable. He knew his stuff, had clearly researched locations and was generous in sharing his knowledge. HIs quality of leading the tour was excellent. I would travel with him again." KM, Devon, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"As must have been obvious, I (and I think all the other members of our group) very much enjoyed our photographic safari to Dartmoor over the past few days. We are very grateful to you for your help and tuition, and for the enormous amount of effort and hard work which goes into organising such a trip. In the world of photography – as in other disciplines – one never stops learning and therefore the opportunity to sample different techniques and approaches is invaluable. To do so in a remote, picturesque and little-known parts of beautiful Dartmoor made for an excellent experience ... I appreciated the chance to get to know you better – as well as to learn from you about specialist aspects of photography "outside my comfort zone": I am grateful." HD, Berkshire, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
The tour is timed to coincide with early autumn colour and the possibility of early morning autumn mist in Dartmoor’s valleys. Weather permitting, the itinerary will include an opportunity for astrophotography on one evening. Dartmoor benefits from some of the darkest skies in southern England and the tour is timed for when the moon is out of the evening sky. Using one of the most spectacular and accessible Tors as foreground, we hope to make images of the stars, Milky Way and star trails.
Itinerary (will be adjusted as necessary to make best use of weather):
Day 1 - Meet at Exeter (or hotel), introductory presentation, walk from hotel to Wistman's Wood for ancient woodland photography. Dinner.
Day 2 - Postbridge for sunrise. Breakfast. Morning hike to Tavy Cleave for waterfalls. Early dinner. Great Staple Tor for sunset and astrophotography.
Day 3 - Breakfast. Morning hike to Venford Falls. Afternoon visit to Lydford Gorge. Merrivale Stone Row for sunset. Dinner. Evening image review and processing session..
Day 4 - Great Mis Tor for sunrise. Breakfast. Morning at Sharp Tor and Dartmeet. Afternoon return to Exeter.
Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants.
Recommended photographic equipment: Digital single lens reflex camera, lenses ranging from wide angle (ideally 16mm on full frame) to short telephoto (200mm+), fast lens (ideally F/2 or F/2.8 for astrophotography), tripod (essential), lockable cable release, neutral density filters and polarising filter. Warm clothes, hat, gloves and walking boots, head torch and hand torch.
Dates: 2023 dates to bed advised shortly. Please register interest now.
Meet at lunchtime on Day 1, depart early afternoon on Day 4.
Four day tour, 2023 cost to be advised shortly.
Included: Accommodation in twin rooms at Two Bridges Hotel for three nights, all meals, travel from Exeter, hides, guiding.
Not included: Travel to Exeter, drinks.
Feedback on previous Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys Photography Tours led by Robert Harvey:
"Having said I was ‘lost’ photography wise I am now ‘found’ again. Learnt so much not only just about my camera but also how to take good landscape photographs. Had ‘the book’ open when I got home." KP, Devon, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"I learned a lot about taking images in various environments, especially at night, and I’m also sure that I have improved my understanding of how to identify promising sites. In addition to the many items of technical advice you passed on, I very much appreciated the way that you kept us all involved and made sure each of us got value from the event. ... I also noticed how carefully you listened to our inputs to the priorities for the various options, and of course applying flexibility to suit the conditions was the right thing to do." PR, Hampshire, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Optimal use of weather conditions and timing. The weather was fine but not optimal for photographing Dartmoor but Robert organised the best locations for the conditions." MC, Western Australia, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"The mixture of morning, day and evening activities worked well and clearly took into account the weather conditions … Robert was very enthusiastic and ensured we achieved our personal learning objectives." DJP, Berkshire, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Thoroughly enjoyable trip, made better by the small number in the group under Robert's leadership and guidance." CJ, Dorset, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"This was very good value for money and Robert Harvey was a brilliant host, leader and provided very useful advice on the photography and worked very hard throughout the tour in assisting everyone. I enjoyed the walks especially the ones to the Tors and the night photography." SR, Avon, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Excellent leader - very good photographic tuition and excellent knowledge of Dartmoor ... Robert managed a full and varied program covering all the itinerary where possible and substituting extras if not. I came away feeling I had learned a lot about photography and about Dartmoor." AB, Somerset, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"Venues visited were superbly researched and journeys to them well organised. This mini holiday was action packed and full on the go. A fabulous trip ... The leader was very pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable. He knew his stuff, had clearly researched locations and was generous in sharing his knowledge. HIs quality of leading the tour was excellent. I would travel with him again." KM, Devon, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
"As must have been obvious, I (and I think all the other members of our group) very much enjoyed our photographic safari to Dartmoor over the past few days. We are very grateful to you for your help and tuition, and for the enormous amount of effort and hard work which goes into organising such a trip. In the world of photography – as in other disciplines – one never stops learning and therefore the opportunity to sample different techniques and approaches is invaluable. To do so in a remote, picturesque and little-known parts of beautiful Dartmoor made for an excellent experience ... I appreciated the chance to get to know you better – as well as to learn from you about specialist aspects of photography "outside my comfort zone": I am grateful." HD, Berkshire, Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
To receive further details and a booking form for this tour, please complete this form giving the tour name as the "Subject".
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Glencoe and Skye
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Milky Way and Cornwall Coast
Snowdonia in Spring
Mull's Otters and Eagles
Secrets of the Wiltshire Landscape
Bustards, Butterflies and Barn Owls
Seabirds and Castles
Milky Way and Jurassic Coast
Dartmoor Tors and Hidden Valleys
Lake District in Autumn
Savernake Forest in Autumn
Jurassic Coast in Midwinter
Other Photography Courses that you may be interested in:
Astrophotography Workshop
Astrophotography Evenings
Landscape Fundamentals Workshop
Landscape Masterclass
